Utility belt with removable storage box

ABSTRACT

A storage apparatus is disclosed to be worn about a waist of a user, the apparatus including a belt member removably securable about the waist of the user, the belt member including a utility box bracket. A utility box can include a base and a lid, the base having a first side and a second side opposite the first side. The first side of the base is removably retainable on the utility box bracket on the belt member and the lid is pivotally secured to the second side of the base. The utility box can be slidably disposed on the utility box bracket.

CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a non-provisional of U.S. Patent Application No. 63/131,885 filed Dec. 30, 2020 entitled UTILITY BELT WITH REMOVABLE STORAGE BOX, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entireties.

A portion of the disclosure of this patent document contains material that is subject to copyright protection. The copyright owner has no objection to the reproduction of the patent document or the patent disclosure, as it appears in the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office patent file or records, but otherwise reserves all copyright rights whatsoever.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not Applicable

REFERENCE TO SEQUENCE LISTING OR COMPUTER PROGRAM LISTING APPENDIX

Not Applicable

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present disclosure relates generally to storage or utility devices that can be worn on a user's person. Such conventional utility belts typically include a belt or strap with a storage unit such as a storage box or bag affixed to the belt, which can include a zippered, latched, or clamped opening. Such storage devices can be worn by various users, including outdoorsmen, fishermen, anglers, hunters, photographers, travelers, construction workers, etc. Such users often need not only ready and convenient access to but also rugged, secure, and waterproof protection for tools, such as lures, reels, ammo, calls, cameras, money, tools, etc.

In some conventional apparatuses, the storage unit (bag/box) can include loops through which the belt can be inserted to removably connect the utility box to the utility belt. However, in such embodiments, the user would have to remove the utility belt to remove the storage unit from the belt, which can be undesirable. Many conventional storage units are also not waterproof, such that if the storage units are submerged or exposed to water, the storage devices can leak and potentially damage the contents inside. Other waterproof hip packs use either waterproof zipper technology or roll-top bag technology to provide the waterproof guarantee. While both methods work, they are inconvenient and frustrating to open and operate, especially during crucial situations when the contents of the storage devices need to be accessed quickly.

What is needed then are improvements in wearable storage devices.

BRIEF SUMMARY

This Brief Summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in a simplified form that are further described below in the Detailed Description. This Summary is not intended to identify key features or essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to be used as an aid in determining the scope of the claimed subject matter.

One aspect of the present disclosure is a storage apparatus to be worn about a waist of a user, the apparatus including a belt member removably securable about the waist of the user, the belt member including a utility box bracket. The apparatus can include a utility box that can be removably retainable on or securable to the utility box bracket on the belt member. In some embodiments, the utility box can include a base and a lid, the base having a first side and a second side opposite the first side. The first side of the base can be removably securable to the utility box bracket on the belt member, and the lid can be pivotally secured to the second side of the base. Thus, when the utility belt is worn about the waist of the user, the utility box can be removably securable to the utility box bracket, and the lid can be opened away from the user for easy access to the contents of the utility box. The lid can be connected to the base via one or more lateral side clamps positioned on a lateral sides of the lid. When a user desires to remove the utility box from the belt member, the utility box can simply be removed from the utility box bracket, for instance when an angler is out of the water and wants to sit on the ground and access the contents of the utility box.

In some embodiments, the utility box bracket can include a first pair of retention flanges, and the first side of the utility box includes a second pair or retention flanges, the second pair of retention flanges slidably receivable on corresponding flanges of the first pair of flanges to retain the utility box on the utility box belt. Thus, the utility box can be easily slid on and off of the utility box bracket via the pairs of retention flanges.

Numerous other objects, advantages and features of the present disclosure will be readily apparent to those of skill in the art upon a review of the following drawings and description of a preferred embodiment.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows a front perspective view of an embodiment of a storage apparatus of the present disclosure showing a utility box of the apparatus retained on a belt member of the apparatus with a lid of the utility box in an open position.

FIG. 2 shows a back perspective view of the storage apparatus of FIG. 1 with the lid in a closed position.

FIG. 3 shows another embodiment of a storage apparatus of the present disclosure with the utility box separated from the belt member.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

While the making and using of various embodiments of the present invention are discussed in detail below, it should be appreciated that the present invention provides many applicable inventive concepts that are embodied in a wide variety of specific contexts. The specific embodiments discussed herein are merely illustrative of specific ways to make and use the invention and do not delimit the scope of the invention. Those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize numerous equivalents to the specific apparatus and methods described herein. Such equivalents are considered to be within the scope of this invention and are covered by the claims.

In the drawings, not all reference numbers are included in each drawing, for the sake of clarity. In addition, positional terms such as “upper,” “lower,” “side,” “top,” “bottom,” etc. refer to the apparatus when in the orientation shown in the drawing. A person of skill in the art will recognize that the apparatus can assume different orientations when in use.

One aspect of the present disclosure, as shown in FIGS. 1-3, is a storage apparatus 10 to be worn about a waist of a user, the apparatus 10 including a belt member 12 removably securable about the waist of the user, the belt member 12 including a utility box bracket 14. The belt member 12 can be secured about the user's body, and particularly a waist of the user via buckle or clasp 15. The apparatus 10 can include a utility box 16 that can be removably securable to the utility box bracket 14 on the belt member 12. In some embodiments, the utility box 16 can include a base 18 and a lid 20, the base 18 having a first side 22 and a second side 24 opposite the first side 22. The first side 22 of the base 18 can be removably retainable or securable to the utility box bracket 14 on the belt member 12, and the lid 20 can be pivotally secured to the second side 24 of the base 18. The lid 20 can be connected to the base 18 via one or more lateral side clamps 25 positioned on a lateral sides of the lid 20, which can allow for easier closing of the lid 20 on the base 18 when the lid 20 opens away from the user. Thus, in some embodiments, when the utility belt 12 is worn about the waist of the user, the utility box 16 can be removably securable to the utility box bracket 14, and the lid 20 can be opened away from the user for easy access to the contents of the utility box 12. In other embodiments, the utility box 16 can include a zippered opening for accessing the contents of the utility box or a removable lid which can be completely removed from the base of the utility box to access the contents of the utility box 16.

In some embodiments, the utility box bracket 14 can include a first pair of retention flanges 26, and the first side 22 of the utility box 16 can include a second pair or retention flanges 28, the second pair of retention flanges 28 slidably receivable on corresponding flanges of the first pair of flanges 26 to retain the utility box 16 on the utility box bracket 14. Thus, the utility box 16 can be easily slid on and off of the utility box bracket 14 via the pairs of retention flanges 26 and 28. In some embodiments, the first pair of retention flanges 26 can be blind flanges, each flange 26 having a bottom wall 29 on which a corresponding flange of the second pair of retention flanges 28 can rest when the utility box 16 is received on the utility box bracket 14. In other embodiments, corresponding flanges of the first and second pairs of retention flanges 26 and 28 can have a tapered or angled orientation such that as the second pair of retention flanges 28 on the utility box 16 are slid onto the first pair of retention flanges 26 on the utility box bracket 14, corresponding angled surfaces of the retention flanges 26 and 28 can engage one another to retain or secure the utility box 16 on or to the utility box bracket 14. In other embodiments, the utility box 16 can include a single plate that can be sized to fit snuggly between the pair of first retention flanges 26 on the utility box bracket 14.

Having the utility box 16 be removably retainable or securable on or to the utility box bracket 14 can provide the user the option to use the utility box 16 without the belt member 12, creating the potential for many more applications or uses for the utility box 16, including but not limited to, kayaking, hunting, photography, videography, boating, etc. The user can also be able to conveniently remove the utility box 16 from the belt member 12 when convenient, for instance when the user is taking a break from an activity and wants to sit down and look through or access the contents of the utility box 16. The user can remove the utility box quickly and conveniently without having to deal with the belt member 12. Retention or securement of the utility box 16 to the utility box bracket 14 can be accomplished in a variety of ways other than as depicted with retention flanges. Potential attachment methods include but are not limited to pins, screws, male and female plastic molded inserts and retention channels or recesses, latches, or any combination of the above. In some embodiments, the utility box bracket 14 can include one or more retention flanges 26 that can receive a corresponding flange or plate on the utility box 16, as well as clamping elements 36, including but not limited to cam lever clamps, clasps, latches, set screws, pins, hook and loop fasteners, etc. or any other suitable mechanism for securing the flange(s) or plate(s) on the utility box 16 between or within the retention flanges 26 on the utility box bracket 14. When the utility box 16 is secured to the utility box bracket 14 via clamping elements 36 (clasps, latches, clamps, screws 36, bolts, etc.), the storage apparatus 10 can be used as a wading belt pack, the utility box 16 can be sufficiently secured to the belt member 12 to allow the user to go into any depth of water or any hostile condition (rapid water condition) while reducing concern of the utility box 16 coming detached or dislodged from the belt member 12.

In some embodiments, the utility box bracket 14 can be removable from the belt member 18 and the utility box bracket 14 can be mountable, securable, or affixable to other objects besides the belt member 12, such as boats, kayaks, garages, larger tool boxes, etc. A side of the utility box bracket 14 which is securable to the belt member 12 can include an adhesive layer, or a hook member or other securement mechanism such that the utility box bracket 14 can be secured to another object via the adhesive layer or the securement mechanism, and utility box 16 can be secured to the utility box bracket 14.

In some embodiments, the lid 20 can include a top surface 30 having a slotted foam insert 32. The exterior slotted foam insert 32 offers a place outside of the sealed dry utility box 16 for items to be placed or stored, including but not limited to popular flies for the user to quickly access as needed, or used flies to dry in the open air before being put away, which can help prevent the flies from rusting and falling apart, and also allowing for easy access to the flies that have already been used on that day.

In some embodiments, the lid 20 can include a flat folding handle 34 that can be selectively extended for use and retracted during non-use by the user into an out of a recess in the top surface 30 of the lid 20. Having a flat folding handle 34 can allow the handle 34 to be retracted when the utility box 16 is retained or secured on the utility box bracket 14, which can help reduce interference of the handle 34 as the user is grabbing items on the foam insert 32. Having a substantially smooth, flat surface on the top of the lid 20 can also help prevent fishing lines during a casting or reel handling from hanging up on the handle 34 or lid 20 of the utility box 16. The handle 34 can be selectively extended to provide a suitable, easy to grab handle for transportation and/or removal of the utility box 16 from the utility box bracket 14.

In some embodiments, the belt member 12 can include one or more expandable pockets 38 or loops 39. The expandable pockets 38 and loops 39 can be used to store various items including but not limited to, beverages, nets, tackle, lures, animal calls, screws, bolts, tools, or any other suitable items that may be useful to the user. The expandable pockets 38 and loops 39 offer a secure location and additional storage for items that may need to be quickly accessed by the user.

In some embodiments, the lid 20 can be movable on the base 18 between an open position and a closed position. The apparatus 10 can further include a sealing member 44, such as a rubber gasket or other compressible sealing member 44, which can form a waterproof seal between the base 18 and the lid 20 when the lid 20 is in the closed position. The sealing member 44 is shown disposed on the base 18 in FIG. 1, but the sealing member 44 could also be disposed on an underside of the lid 20. The sealing member 44 can help protect the internal contents of the utility box 16 from exposure to water when the lid 20 is in the closed position. As such, the user can put water sensitive items in the utility box 16, including but not limited to phones, cameras, electronics, fly lures, billfolds, or other similar items to protect them from exposure to water for instance while the user fishes, wades in water, kayaks, etc.

In some embodiments, the utility box 16 can include removable dividers 46 or other removable compartmentalization for the utility box 16 which can allow the user to customize or organize different items within the utility box 16. While one example of exemplary dividers is shown in FIG. 1, any suitable size and orientation of dividers can utilized to customize or form internal compartments within the utility box 16.

In some embodiments, a lower surface 42 of the lid 20 can include a coating of a suitable ferromagnetic material such that magnetically permeable objects can be magnetically retained to an underside of the lid 20. The lower surface 42 of the lid 20 can also include a coating or layer of a hook and loop or Velcro fastener material, such that items with corresponding hook and loop fastener portions can be attached to the lower surface 42 of the lid 20. A magnetic material on the lower surface 42 of the lid 20 can be useful for securing fly lures via their metal hooks while the lid 20 is open, which can provide additional security for fly lures while changing fly rigs midstream. The ferromagnetic coating on the lower surface 42 of the lid 20 can also allow for various other interchangeable interior lid accessories to be attached to the lid magnetically using a magnetic backing. The same functionality could be accomplished with a velcro surface or Velcro straps connected to the lower surface 42 of the lid 20.

In some embodiments, the lower surface 42 of the lid 20 can include a zippered pocket 40. This zippered pocket 40 is just one example of the type of accessory that could be used in the interior lid 20 or the base 20 of the utility box 16 to enhance or customize storage options for the user.

Thus, although there have been described particular embodiments of the present invention of a new and useful UTILITY BELT WITH REMOVABLE STORAGE BOX, it is not intended that such references be construed as limitations upon the scope of this invention. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A storage apparatus to be worn about a waist of a user, the apparatus comprising: a belt member removably securable about the waist of the user, the belt member including a utility box bracket; a utility box including a base and a lid, the base having a first side and a second side opposite the first side; wherein the first side of the base is removably retainable on the utility box bracket on the belt member and the lid is pivotally secured to the second side of the base.
 2. The storage apparatus of claim 1, wherein the utility box is slidably receivable on the utility box bracket.
 3. The storage apparatus of claim 2, wherein: the utility box bracket includes a first pair of retention flanges; and the first side of the utility box includes a second pair or retention flanges, the second pair of retention flanges slidably receivable on corresponding flanges of the first pair of flanges to retain the utility box on the utility box belt.
 4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein: the lid is movable on the base between an open and a closed position; and the apparatus includes a sealing member that is positioned to form a waterproof seal between the base and the lid when the lid is in the closed position.
 5. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising one or more clamping element for securing the utility box to the utility box bracket.
 6. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein the one or more clamping element further comprises set screws.
 7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein when the belt member is worn about the waist of the user and the utility box is retained in the utility box bracket, the lid is openable on the base in a direction away from the user.
 8. A storage apparatus to be worn about a waist of a user, the apparatus comprising: a belt member removably securable about the waist of the user, the belt member including a utility box bracket having a first pair of retention flanges; a utility box including a base and a lid, the base having a first side and a second side opposite the first side, wherein the first side of the base is removably retainable on the first pair of retention flanges to removably retain the utility box on the utility box bracket on the belt member and the lid is pivotally secured to the second side of the base; and a clamping element disposed on the first pair of retention flanges, the clamping element operable to secure the utility box to the utility box bracket.
 9. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the belt member includes a bottle holder.
 10. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the lid includes a top surface, and the apparatus further comprises a sotted foam insert disposed on a top surface of the lid.
 11. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the lid includes at least one lateral side clamp for securing the lid to the base in a closed position.
 12. A storage apparatus to be worn about a waist of a user, the apparatus comprising: a belt member removably securable about the waist of the user, the belt member including a utility box bracket; a utility box including a base and a lid, the base having a first side and a second side opposite the first side, wherein the first side of the base is removably retainable on the the utility box bracket on the belt member and the lid is pivotally secured to the second side of the base; and a clamping element disposed on the utility box plate, the clamping element operable to secure the utility box to the utility box bracket, wherein when the belt member is worn about the waist of the user and the utility box is retained in the utility box bracket, the lid is openable on the base in a direction away from the user. 